Nob Hill High spent the mile on the outside and still prevailed in Thursday’s $35,000 Preferred/Open Handicap, while Nova Artist came three-wide to win the $30,000 Delaware Special at Dover Downs.
David Miller raced Nob Hill High on the outside from the start and continued to wear down his opponents the rest of a 1:50.3 mile to notch his sixth win of the season to win the week’s $35,000 feature event. After finishing a close-up second three-times and third three- times in his last eight starts, the Mcardle-Anniecrombie six-year-old with a strong finish won for the 27th time in his career.
Several contenders had brief leads throughout the contest with Stolen Car and Ron Pierce a strong second. Paco Labrook closed in a hurry for Brad Hanners to finish third. Bruce Saunders trains Nob Hill High for breeder-owners Bob Mondillo and Don Robinson. The win lifts his seasonal earnings to $276,190 and $792,153 lifetime.
Nova Artist also carved out a 1:50.3 victory in the $30,000 Delaware Special. Driver Allan Davis’ patient drive paid off following horses before moving three wide on the last turn the turning on the afterburners passing horses for his seventh triumph of the year.
Martin Davis trains the five-year-old son of Real Artist-Avon Lady for parents Eddie and Kathy Davis. Mustang Art closed from far back to take second with Ron Pierce. Restless Native took third with Mike Cole in the bike. Nova Artist has moved is career earnings to $602,117 in his career of which $168,117 has come this season.
(Dover Downs)